"You finally thought of a defense plan!" Stalin said sarcastically on the phone.
"Yes, Comrade Stalin!" Golikov admitted his mistake: "I underestimated my own strength and the power of the people, so I thought we had no hope of victory and kept adopting a negative attitude. This is wrong, I
I think we still have a chance to hold on to Stalingrad!"
Golikov's words made Stalin very happy, but he corrected him: "It's not a chance, Comrade Golikov, it's a must! We must hold Stalingrad, otherwise we will lose the entire war!"
"Yes, Comrade Stalin, I agree!" Golikov replied: "So I decided to defend Stalingrad at all costs!"
Stalin nodded: "I'm glad you have such an awareness. Then, tell me about your defense plan!"
"I need time to integrate the resources and strength of Stalingrad!" Golikov said: "Only in this way can it be possible to block the enemy's attack and defend Stalingrad!"
"So, how do you think we can buy time?"
"Stalingrad Front!" Golikov said: "I think they should turn into a counterattack to attract the enemy's attention. This can reduce the pressure on Stalingrad. At the same time, I need reinforcements, equipment and supplies!"
After thinking about it, Stalin replied: "You will get reinforcements and supplies, but I think the counterattack of the Stalingrad Front needs to be considered!"
"Of course, Comrade Stalin!"
Of course, Golikov knew that Stalin would not agree immediately, because the counterattack of the Stalingrad Front was not a trivial matter. It required a complete plan and contact with the commander of the Stalingrad Front Yeremenko.
"I have a question, Comrade Golikov!" Stalin finally asked: "What changed your mind and made you believe that Stalingrad can be defended!"
"It's a person, Comrade Stalin!" Golikov said: "I believe you know this person, he is the 'breakout hero' we know well!"
Stalin said "Yeah" and then hung up the phone.
Stalin was a little surprised to hear the name "Breakout Hero" again, but this seemed to be expected, because Stalin knew that the "Breakout Hero" had been transferred from the original army. Although he did not pay attention to where he was transferred, it seems that now
Probably transferred to the vicinity of Stalingrad.
"Who is this 'breakout hero'!" Stalin said to himself: "How come a low-level officer can play a decisive role in every place and every battle?"
However, Stalin did not think too much about this issue. As a national leader, he should focus on the overall situation rather than on a low-level military officer.
Then, he quickly realized that Golikov's suggestion was right. The Stalingrad Front should switch to a counterattack, otherwise the Stalingrad Battle would fall into a comprehensive passivity.
At this time, he couldn't help but think of the "Breakout Hero" again... Was this strategic plan coming from the "Breakout Hero" again? Just like he gave advice to Mae Helis before?
After thinking for a while, Stalin made a decision. Stalin appointed Zhukov an unprecedented position: Supreme Deputy Commander-in-Chief. His duty was to assist in commanding the Stalingrad Front and Southeastern Front and defend Stalingrad at all costs.
Of course, the main purpose of this was to command the Stalingrad Front to launch a counterattack to reduce the pressure on Stalingrad.
Golikov implemented a series of measures proposed by Shulka with great fanfare in Stalingrad:
“First of all, we must make it clear: there is no possibility for us to retreat. Although we have a way to retreat and we have time to retreat to the east bank of the Volga River, this will never be an option for us. We will fight the enemy in Stalingrad to the end!
"
This is "put yourself to death and live later".
The fact that Stalingrad is backed by the Volga River is both an advantage and a disadvantage.
It is an advantage because it prevents the German army from encircling Stalingrad and completely cutting off its connections with the outside world...unless the German army reaches the east bank of the Volga River, which is almost impossible.
It is a shortcoming because it always gives the defenders of Stalingrad a hope that they can retreat to the east coast and escape.
This hope is very scary for the defenders. It is like the tactic of "encircling three and attacking one". When the Mongolian cavalry surrounds the enemy, they always intentionally leave a side open to allow the enemy to escape.
This tactic first shakes the enemy's will to fight to the death and fight against the enemy.
Both Golikov and Krylov agreed with this.
"That's right, Comrade Shulka!" Golikov said: "We have to fight the enemy to the bitter end. We have to cut off this retreat, or in other words, cut off everyone's idea of retreating!"
"We want everyone to know something!" Krylov said: "Either defend the city or die here, there is no third possibility!"
Soon, Golikov drafted a letter to the army and the people and broadcast it on the radio in Stalingrad:
"Dear comrades, all citizens of Stalingrad:
The violent enemy has approached the city where we live. Just like 24 years ago, our city is going through difficult moments again. The invaders exuding the smell of blood want to break into Stalingrad, which is full of sunshine and vitality, and want to defile it.
Our great Russian river - the Volga...
Citizens of Stalingrad, comrades!
This time, we will never compromise, we will never let the enemy invade our beloved city, and we will never let the enemy destroy our houses and families. We will build insurmountable barricades on all the streets, and we will make every house,
Every block and every street becomes a fortress that the enemy cannot attack..."
It should be said that Golikov's words are quite high-level, especially since they mentioned 24 years ago.
24 years ago it was World War I.
The German army also attacked Russia in World War I. That time it ended with the collapse of the Russian army and the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which ceded more than 3 million square kilometers.
Of course, these lands did not fall into Germany's pockets in the end. With Germany's defeat, the peace treaty became a dead letter.
But this experience has become a pain in the hearts of all Soviet soldiers and civilians, especially now that the German troops who invaded and fought against the Soviet Union are the same German troops who left them with humiliation back then.
Therefore, Golikov told them in this way: The time has come to wash away the shame, either drive the Germans out or die in Stalingrad!